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Rice can be the major contributor to exposure of inorganic arsenic (iAs). A total of 485 domestic rice (polished rice, n = 368; husked rice, n = 117) samples produced in 2014 were determined for total arsenic (tAs) and As species. The determination of As species was conducted by HPLC-ICP-MS. AsIII was the major detected species. AsV, DMA, and MMA were occurred in lower level in both types of rice. In polished rice, iAs represented 43–91% of tAs: tAs = 0.088 ± 0.021 mg/kg; iAs = 0.060 ± 0.013 mg/kg. In husked rice, iAs ranged from 55% to 91% of tAs; tAs = 0.160 ± 0.042 mg/kg, iAs = 0.114 ± 0.029 mg/kg. The iAs level of polished rice samples was below the current maximum limit of the Chinese and German standard (0.2 mg/kg for inorganic arsenic in milled rice). Also, husked rice samples did not exceed the standard for iAs. Average dietary exposure to iAs from polished rice consumption was calculated as 0.17 ± 0.21 μg/kg·bw/day which was 8.09% level of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. The result obtained in the present study provide a reference data of iAs in Korean rice for the establishment of safety standards.

The present study was carried out to survey the levels of plutonium isotopes (238,239,240Pu) and strontium (90Sr) in domestic seafood in Korea. In current, regulatory authorities have analyzed radionuclides, such as 134Cs, 137Cs and 131I, in domestic and imported food. However, people are concerned about contamination of other radionuclides, such as plutonium and strontium, in food. Furthermore, people who live in Korea have much concern about safety of seafood. Accordingly, in this study, we have investigated the activity concentrations of plutonium and strontium in seafood. For the analysis of plutonium isotopes and strontium, a rapid and reliable method developed from previous study was used. Applicability of the test method was verified by examining recovery, minimum detectable activity (MDA), analytical time, etc. Total 40 seafood samples were analyzed in 2014-2015. As a result, plutonium isotopes (238,239,240Pu) and strontium (90Sr) were not detected or below detection limits in seafood. The detection limits of plutonium isotopes and strontium-90 were 0.01 and 1 Bq/kg, respectively.

An analytical method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of 5 paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins (saxitoxin, gonyautoxin1-4) in shellfish and tunicate. The tested parameters included extraction solvent, clean-up method, mobile phase and mass spectrometric detection parameters including multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) conditions. The PSP toxins were extracted with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid and cleaned up using C18 SPE cartridges. Chromatographic separation of the 5 PSP toxins was carried out on a TSK-gel Amide-80 column with gradient elution. The developed method was validated according to the requirements of SANCO 12571/2013. The average recoveries of the PSP toxins ranged from 82.7% to 110.7%, the intra-day precisions were in the range of 0.3–10.9%, the inter-day precisions were in the range of 0.8–10.0% and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the range of 25–100 μg/kg, depending on the analytes and matrices. The validated method was successfully applied for the determination of 5 PSP toxins in real shellfish and tunicate samples, including mussel, oyster, ark shell, sea squirt and styela clava.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are two of the most used BFRs and they have cumulated in the environment. TBBPA and HBCDs in food were determined and their risks were assessed. The analytical method used was validated in different food categories, and the performance parameters were acceptable based on the criteria of AOAC. Fish and cephalopods were contaminated with TBBPA higher than other foods, and fish contained higher levels of HBCDs than other foods. α-HBCD was the predominant diastereomer in fish and meat and had strong correlations with HBCDs in fish and cephalopods. HBCDs accumulated easier than TBBPA in food. People were exposed to TBBPA from 0.125 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1 to 0.284 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1 and HBCDs from 0.353 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1 to 1.006 ng kg−1 b.w. day−1 via food and air. Food mainly contributed to exposure to TBBPA and HBCDs and vegetables were the main contributors for exposure to TBBPA and HBCDs in food. MOEs for the whole population were over 100, and the risks of exposure to TBBPA and HBCDs from food and the environment were of low concern to public health.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are commonly used as brominated flame retardants in large volumes, and accumulate in plants and animals in the environment, and people are exposed to them when consuming food. As many countries are monitoring them in food, it is necessary to develop a method to analyze them simultaneously for cost efficiency. A method was developed and optimized under different conditions using accelerated solvent extraction to extract the lipids from the samples, acid silica column to clean the samples and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to determine TBBPA and HBCDs. The method was validated in different kinds of food. Uncertainty of measurement was calculated by combining all uncertainties of contributors. Intermediate precision (reproducibility) was the most influential contributor to uncertainty. 5 food categories with 115 samples were analyzed with the method, and mackerels containing high level of fat were highly contaminated by TBBPA and HBCDs.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis was conducted for eight different kinds of dried seafood products to investigate their gamma-irradiation status. The specimens consisted of 0∼10 kGy-irradiated bones, which included five dried fishes (plaice, hairtail, saury, herring, and dried filefish) and three dried mollusks (beca squid, dried squid, and mitra squid) without flesh or marrow. ESR analysis showed that irradiated specimens exhibited typical asymmetric signals as compared to non-irradiated specimens. ESR signal intensities of all dried fishery samples significantly in- creased depending on irradiation dose, whereas hydroxyapetite radicals clearly appeared in irradiated plaice, saury, and hairtail. In comparing hydroxyapatite (HA) ratio, irradiated hairtail showed a greater hydroxyapatite-radical gen- eration rate than plaice and saury, and the HA ratio significantly increased with elevated irradiation dose. However, all irradiated plaice and hairtail samples, including 5 and 10 kGy-irradiated saury, showed radiation-derived radicals, whereas filefish and mollusks did not. From the results, ESR spectroscopy was found to have potential to be applied for identifying irradiated plaice, hairtail, and saury, which all contained bones.

The present study was carried out to survey the levels of plutonium isotopes (

This study was conducted to monitor and evaluate microbial contamination during manufacturing process in 6 red pepper powder factories. Red pepper powder samples were taken from manufacturing facilitates, working area and workers' hands to determine sanitary indicator bacteria (SIB) such as aerobic bacteria and coliform group as well as pathogenic indicator bacteria (PIB) such as Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. The results indicated that SIB in primary materials was detected as low as 3 log units and E.coil and Staphylococcus aureus of PIB were detected. After grinding process, aerobic bacteria, fungi, and coliform group increased 52% and 108%, respectively. In final products, PIB was not detected except for one found Staphylococcus aureus by which workers' hands were contaminated. Moreover, UV detectors in all the manufacturers were not able to reduce bacteria. Thus, this data suggest that a stringent safety management be needed to prevent cross contamination, and also reconsider effectiveness of facility.

An interlaboratory study was performed in eight laboratories to validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins and sterigmatocystin (STC) in white rice and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Fortified samples (at three different levels) of white rice and sorghum were extracted, purified through a solid-phase extraction (SPE) column, and then analyzed by LC/MS/MS. The apparent recoveries (ARs) ranged from 78.8% to 95.0% for aflatoxins and from 85.3% to 96.7% for STC. The relative standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDR) of aflatoxins were in the ranges 7.9%-33.8% and 24.4%-81.0%, respectively. For STC, the RSDr ranged from 7.1% to 40.2% and the RSDR ranged from 28.1% to 99.2%. The Horwitz ratio values for the aflatoxins and STC ranged from 0.4 to 1.2 in white rice and from 0.3 to 1.0 in sorghum, respectively. These results validated this method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins and STC by LC/MS/MS after SPE column cleanup. The percentages of satisfactory Z-score values (vertical bar Z vertical bar

The main aim of this study is to analyze both domestic and imported marine products in Korea for 14 sulfonamide antimicrobials. Monitoring samples included flatfish, jacopever, sea bream, common eel, blue crab, shrimp, and abalone. In analyzing step, the residues of 14 sulfonamides (SAs) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode array detector. And in confirmatory step, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS/MS) was used for unequivocal identification of target compounds. No sulfonamide antimicrobials were found in more than 99% of the samples analyzed in this study. The monitoring results revealed that sulfadiazine was detected in two samples (flatfish and jacopever) below the maximum residue limit (MRL), 100 ㎍/㎏ as the sum of 14 sulfonamides. Of samples, one common eel containing sulfamethoxazole above the legal residue limit was found, and the detected concentration was 5104 ㎍/㎏.

Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National UniversityAbstract Zearalenone (ZEA) is an estrogenic mycotoxin mainly produced by Fusarium graminerum, a species whichcolonizes a wide variety of cereals, including wheat, barley and processed products. A survey of ZEA contamination wasconducted on 141 dried confectioneries, 59 breads and rice cakes, 135 noodles and 101 other products, for a total of 432commercial samples. Samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection(HPLC-FLD) after immunoaffinity clean-up and was confirmed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The limits of detection and quantification were 2.0 and 6.0µg/kg, respectively. The recovery ranged from 80.2%to 98.4% in the cereal based product. ZEA was detected in 38 samples (8.8% incidence), including 3 snack, 2 biscuit and33 other cereal products. The ZEA contamination levels were in the range of 5.38-53.76 µg/kg. Finally, LC-MS/MSanalysis of the contaminated samples was conducted to confirm the detected ZEA, and all 38 samples showing ZEA byHPLC-FLD were confirmed by LC-MS/MS.Keywords: mycotoxin, zearalenone, immunoaffinity column, cerealFusarium 속 곰팡이는 토양균류로서 자연계에 널리 분포하고있으며 그 중 몇 종은 식물병원균으로 벼의 Bakanae 병을 비롯하여 식물의 뿌리 섞음병, 줄기 섞음병, 잎마름병, 과실 부패병등을 일으킨다고 알려져 있다(1). 과거에는 이들 Fusarium 속 곰팡이는 주로 식물성 병원균으로만 취급되었지만 최근 zearalenone,deoxynivalenol, fumonisin 등 곰팡이독소를 생성하는 것으로 알려져 식품위생상 문제가 대두되고 있다(2-4). 곰팡이독소는 화학물질로 분류되지만 살아있는 생물로부터 생성되기 때문에 수확 전후 저장, 유통 등 여러 단계에서 발생할 수 있으므로 원료 생산에서 유통, 소비에 이르기까지 매우 중요한 위해요소로 작용한다. 또한 대부분의 곰팡이독소들은 물리적·화학적으로 안정한저분자 물질이기 때문에 세척 및 가열 등의 일반적인 가공조건으로는 제거되기 어렵다(5).이들 중 비스테로이드성 에스트로겐으로 알려진 제랄레논은Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium moniliforme 등에 의해 주로 생성되며 옥수수, 밀, 보리 등 농산물과 같이 탄수화물 함량이 높은 기질에서 잘 발생된다(6). 국제발암연구소(International Agencyfor Research on Cancer, IARC)는 제랄레논을 인체 발암성으로 분류할 수 없는 group 3로 분류하였지만 제랄레논은 체내에 흡수되면 대부분 배출되나 일부는 자궁, 고환, 난소 등에 전달되어 과에스트로렌증, 유산, 불임 등 생식에 관련된 독성을 유발하는 것으로 알려져 있다(7-9). Lee 등(10)의 보고에 따르면 제랄레논은동물의 에스트로겐에 영향을 주는 것으로 알려져 있고 에스트로겐에 영향을 주는 에스트로겐수용체는 핵의 사본에 달려있으며제랄레논에 의해 손상된 수용체는 쥐 유방조직에서 에스트로겐호르몬을 억제하는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 제랄레논이 에스트로겐 반응 수용체를 포함하는 인간 유방암세포의 성장을 자극하는 것으로 보고하여 유방암 발생 가능성이 증가되고 있으며, 제랄레논은 구조적으로 estradiol과 유사한 구조로 estrogen 수용체와 결합함으로써 내분비교란 작용을 한다. 그 작용은 다른 환경내분비교란 물질인 polychrorinated biphenol(PCB)과 bisphenol A보다 강하다. 이에 유럽연합에서는 제랄레논의 식품 및 사료 중함량을 최저 20 mg/kg-최고 200 mg/kg으로 규격관리하고 있으며JECFA(The Joint FAO/WHO Export Committee on Food Addi-tives)에서는 잠정적 최대 허용 일일 섭취량(provisional maximumtolerable daily intake, PMTDI)을 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day로,유럽식품과학위원회(EU Scientific committee for food)에서는0.2 mg/kg body weight/day으로 제안하였다(11,12).제랄레논에 대한 국내외 연구보고는 오염가능성이 높은 식품군인 옥수수, 밀, 보리 등을 중심으로 조사되었다. 1999년 Placinta*Corresponding author: Mi-Ran Jang, Hazard Substances AnalysisTeam, Test & Analytical Center, Busan Regional KFDA, Busan 608-829, KoreaTel: 82-51-610-6181Fax: 82-51-610-6199E-mail: jang9797@hanmail.netReceived January 5, 2010; revised March 18, 2010;accepted December 12, 2010

The analytical method was developed for the speciation of 6 arsenic species [As(III), As(V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), and arsenocholine (AsC)] in sea mustard (Undaria pinnatifida), dashima (Laminaria japonica), and laver (Porphyra tenera) of seaweed. After extraction under sonication with a solution of 50%(v/v) methanol in 1% HNO3 and subsequent clean-up with anion-exchange cartridge, arsenic species were quantified by liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The ion-exchange cartridge is effective to remove a lot of interference. The gradient elution method was used for high resolution of arsenic species and the optimum pH of mobile phase is 6.0 and 6.2. Limit of detection and quantification were set at 0.06–0.12 and 0.20–0.40 ng/mL, respectively. Overall recoveries of arsenic species from fortified samples in seaweed were 81.1–118.8%, except for AsB and AsC in dashima and laver. This proposed method could be useful for quantification and speciation of arsenic species in seaweed as well as other foodstuffs.

The present study was carried out to assess exposure & risk for Korean by total and inorganic As intake through agricultural products. Total arsenic analysis was performed using microwave device and ICP-MS. 50% MeOH extraction and anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS method has been used to determine arsenic species. 329 samples covering 20 kinds of agricultural products were collected from various retail outlets and markets across Korea. The concentration of total As was in the range of 0.001~0.718 mg/kg, while inorganic and organic arsenic species in all samples was not determined. For risk assessment, probable daily intake was calculated and compared with provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI, 15 /kg b.w./week for inorganic arsenic) established by JECFA. The median daily exposure to total and inorganic As by intake of agricultural products except rice was ranged 0.0002~0.012, 0.0001~0.001 /kg b.w./day, corresponding to 0.01~0.5%, 0.002~0.1% of PTWI, respectively. The median level of total and inorganic As intake through rice was 0.603 and 0.041 /kg b.w./day, and 28.1% and 1.9% of PTWI, respectively. Therefore, the level of overall exposure to arsenic for Korean through agricultural products was below the recommended JECFA levels, indicating of least possibility of risk.

As a national project, obtaining information on the amount of heavy metal exposure of individuals through food intake is an important basic parameter for risk assessment. This study was conducted to evaluate dietary exposure levels and various risks from mercury (Hg) in Korean foods. In total, 342 samples comprising 114 food items were collected and then cooked prior to analysis. As found by Hg analysis, the mean content of metal in the fish and shellfish group was highest among the 15 Korean food groups. The total daily amount of Hg intake from typical Korean foods was 2.40 microg/person/d. The daily amount (microg/person/d) of Hg intake from each food group was 0.155 in grains and cereals, 0.008 potatoes and starch, 0.005 sugars and sweets, 0.0093 pulses, 0.0018 nuts and seeds, 0.203 vegetables, 0.027 fruits, 0.021 meats and poultry, 0.004 eggs, 1.826 fish and shellfish, 0.022 seaweed, 0.043 milk and dairy products, 0.008 oils and fats, 0.042 beverages, and 0.023 seasonings. The fish and shellfish group contributed most to total dietary intake at 76%. For risk assessment, probable daily intake (PDI) was calculated and compared with provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The level of Hg intake through fish and shellfish of 0.001 mg/kg body weight bw/wk corresponded to 4.54% of the PTWI value of 0.005 mg/kg bw/wk, the safety standard for JECFA. The level of Hg intake through selected foods from the Food list for Koreans was 0.001 mg/kg bw/wk, corresponding to 5.95% of PTWI value. Therefore, overall intake was at levels below the recommended JECFA levels. The relative gender Hg hazard from Korean foods was 6.26% and 5.5% for males and females, respectively. The relative age Hg hazard from Korean foods was, 8.9% in those 3-6 yr old, 6.7% in those 7-12 yr old, 5.2% in those 13-19 yr old, 5.9% in those 20-29 yr old, 6.3% in those 30-49 yr old, 5.6% in those ages 50-64 yr, and 3.7% in the group of those over 65 yr of age. Relative regional Hg hazard from Korean foods was 6.3% in urban versus 5.5% in rural areas. Thus, the amount of Hg intake through consumption of Korean foods was found to be at a relatively safe level. These data may be thus used to establish safety standards for fish and shellfish consumption.

This study was conducted to evaluate exposure level and risk of heavy metals in livestock foodstuffs and Korean foods. Based on the "Food Intake Data," a part of the 2005 National Health & Nutrition Survey and the "2005 Seasonal Nutrition Survey", 113 Korean foods items were selected. 3 samples from different manufacturers of each 113 items of Korean foods were purchased on summer and fall, so total 678 samples were used. The food groups were classified into 15 categories. For the livestock foodstuffs category, meats and poultry (chicken, pork, pork belly, beef, beef feet soup), milks and dairy products (milk, ice cream, liquid yoghourt, sherbet), eggs (egg) were selected. It was found that the daily amount of heavy metals intake (mg/person/day) from livestock foodstuffs is 0.00020 arsenic, 0.00000 cadmium, 0.00020 lead, and 0.00006 mercury, and the daily amount of heavy metals intake (mg/person/day) from Korean foods is 0.0265 arsenic, 0.0083 cadmium, 0.0067 lead, and 0.0028 mercury. Daily amount of heavy metals intake from livestock foodstuffs was low among the food groups. For risk assessment, PDI (Probable Daily Intake) was calculated and compared with PTWI (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake) of JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additive). Relative hazard of these livestock foodstuffs was 0.006% in arsenic, 0.000% in cadmium, 0.085% in lead, and 0.149% in mercury. Relative hazard of Korean foods was 0.941% in arsenic, 14.676% in cadmium, 3.319% in lead, and 6.860% in mercury. Thus, livestock foodstuffs and Korean foods were as safe as satisfied with the recommended standards of JECFA.

Type-B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), fusarenone-X (FUS-X), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15ADON), and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON)) were determined in 338 cereal-based products. Detection limit, quantification limit and mean recovery for five toxins were in the ranges 0.7-2.6 µg kg(-1), 2.1-7.8 µg kg(-1) and 73-110%, respectively. The range of occurrence and average level in samples were, respectively, 21-88% and 5.2-121.8 µg kg(-1) for NIV, 10-96% and 1.7-109.5 µg kg(-1) for DON, 2-39% and 0.4-3.6 µg kg(-1) for FUS-X, 0-80% and 0-17.3 µg kg(-1) for 15ADON, and 0-29% and 0-1.5 µg kg(-1) for 3ADON. Regarding co-occurrence, 64% of samples had more than two type-B trichothecenes. The estimated daily intakes of NIV, DON, FUS-X, 15ADON, and 3ADON were 0.077, 0.048, 0.004, 0.006 and 0.002 µg kg(-1) bw day(-1), respectively. These results suggest that current exposure levels do not indicate the possibility of adverse effects, but consideration of the combined exposure of type-B trichothecenes may be required due to the high frequency of co-occurrence.

To survey fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in agricultural products consumed in South Korea and provide an exposure assessment, ground samples were extracted (80% MeOH), filtered (0.2 microm), and cleaned up. After evaporation, dry residues were reconstituted in 50% MeOH, and a 50-micro1 aliquot of this sample was mixed with 200 micro1 of o-phthaldialdehyde for derivatization. The derivatives were analyzed with a high-performance liquid chromatography system equipped with a fluorescence detector. For validation of the detection procedure, linearity, accuracy, precision, detection limit, and quantification limit were determined. The validated detection method was then used to survey fumonisins in white rice, brown rice, barley, barley tea, beer, wheat flour, millet, dried corn, corn flour, corn tea, canned corn, popcorn, and breakfast cereal. Retention times for FB1 and FB2 standards were 7 and 18 min, respectively. Linearity (R2 = 0.99995 to 0.99998), accuracy (81.47 to 108.83%), precision (2.35 to 5.77), detection limit (25 ng/g or ng/ml), and quantification limit (37 ng/g or ng/ml) indicated that this procedure is capable of quantifying fumonisins in agricultural products. Only FB1-positive samples (5.12%, three dried corn samples and five corn flour samples) were found at 90.89 to 439.67 ng/g. According the survey results, an estimated daily intake of FB1 and FB2 in Korea was 0.087 ng/kg of body weight per day. These results indicate that continuous monitoring of these mycotoxins is necessary to establish appropriate risk assessment, and the maximum tolerable daily intake of fumonisins in Korea is lower than the 2 microg/kg set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization-World Health Organization Expert Committee.

We report a rare case in which a 35-year-old multiparous healthy woman developed a right sciatic neuropathy after epidural anesthesia and analgesia for caesarean section.She presented with premature rupture of membrane at 37 weeks and 4 days gestation.Epidural anesthesia was done without any paresthesia or pain and there were no special events during operation. Postoperative pain was controlled by fentanyl, ropivacaine and saline through epidural catheter for 2 days.When the epidural catheter was removed, the patient complained of both legs weakness and hypoesthesia.On the 4th day after surgery, she gained normal sensation and motor function of left leg but was still unable to move and sense her right leg without medial side of femur. She dragged her right feet.MRI of the lumbarsacral spine showed no evidence of a lesion in the spinal cord.Electomyographic study (EMG) performed 25 days after surgery showed incomplete right sciatic nerve lesion.She received persistent physical therapies and put a ankle brace.Four months after surgery she had made a recovery but not full yet.

We experienced a case of acute postpartum cardiomyopathy after cesarean section. A twin-pregnant woman at 36 weeks gestation showed pregnancy-induced hypertension. After an emergency cesarean section, shortness of breath, paroxysmal dyspnea, hypertension, and tachycardia developed in the recovery room. She was diagnosed with acute peripartum cardiomyopathy. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2008;55:634~8)